Gillett wins second title

[Whitey]

The championship battle came down to the wire for the 2008 RaceBrakes Sydney NSW Excel Series, with 4 crews entered for the TrussMe National Capital Rally. Series Point scores indicated that it was possible for 5 drivers to have a chance at the title, with Mick Gillett, David White and David Roberts only separated by 10 points. Series pace-setter Glenn Farrant was conspicuously absent from this event with family commitments, and new-comer Fro Horobin was officiating at the event, after having written off his 2008 car at the previous Bay Stages round.

The event continued it's tradition as a hoodoo rally for the team of Haggstrom/Flett, as they suffered from unusual dramas from early in the event. Problems with door handles, windows and boots all paled into insignificance though on Stage 3 when they suffered a minor off into a bank that bent the suspension and put an end to their 2008 aspirations.

Dave Roberts and new co-driver Zoe Butler suffered terminal problems as well, with a gearbox failure taking them out of the event, having started the event with gear selection problems.

This left the battle for the title up to Gillett and White, with White holding the upper hand. But unfortunately, a minor error lead to the White/Bailey crew spending some time on the side of the road with bent suspension, and limping to the end of the event to take the second spot on the podium.

In a rally of attrition, the Gillett/Smith crew were not without drama, but continued in their solid effort to claim the Excel victory at the 2008 TrussMe National Capital Rally, and the 2008 RaceBrakes Sydney Excel Series.

Check out here for the final pointscore and here for the competitor event reports
All the competitors throughout the year would like to thank the Series Sponsors:

RaceBrakes Sydney
Rallyschool.com.au
Gary's Motorsport Tyres
Motographics and
Hyundai Genuine Parts

Thanks to Fro for the event report and the un-named photographer for the photo.